Book Review: Mortal Kiss (Alice Moss)

How much would you sacrifice for just one kiss ...

When smouldering Finn and sexy Lucas arrive in Winter Mill, life starts to get very complicated for Faye McCarron.

But two boys battling for her heart is just the start; events in town are sinister. There's a dead body in the woods, a motorcycle gang on the prowl, and the snow just won't stop falling.

Something evil is at work, and only Faye and best friend Liz can stop it. As the temperature drops and the nights draw int towards Hallowe'en, they must uncover the dark secrets at the heart of Winter Mill - before its too late.

Love paranormal romance, werewolves and ethereal spirits? Then this book is for you.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Not because I had some negative preconceptions about it, but because I have not heard a lot about it. Surely a book this interesting should be widely recommended in and around the book blogosphere? I would surely do to anyone.

At first I was put off by what appeared to me as a cliche relationship between inseparable best friends, only to be wedged apart by a gorgeous, mysterious boy who so happens to be the town's newest addition. I'm glad I persevered though; it is quite simply a refreshing, very original read.

Mortal Kiss establishes a good premise of an early mystery in its early pages, as well as the other elements that build up its plot. I was easily drawn into the little town of Winter Mill and throughout my reading experience I was constantly aware of flying pages, even unconscious of how much I have read at times. The pace does a wonderful job at putting forward the questions and unraveling the threads of mystery later on. I found myself thoroughly intrigued, and the answers to the questions are no less thrilling. I applaud the book for its originality, as although it has strong paranormal elements, it focuses on those elements where it is original and not on those so heavily retold in many paranormal novels.

There is a lack of characterisation somewhat, and throughout the book and even after reading there were several important characters who I felt like I didn't know. Others, apart from basic descriptions, lack fundamental characterisations. Hence, I There was also a small matter of not liking the main character much - I felt so much more from Liz than Faye, and it was a good thing the book was told in the third person, or else I would have disliked Faye so much more. She is, for me, a vaguer character. Naive, as well as confounding. Her erratic responses and feelings for both Finn and Luc also confused me and were not thoroughly explained. Her reactions to 'the other guy' in particular made her ultimate choice and her love for him dubious.

Nevertheless, a very riveting book with a refreshing and surprising twists and commendable originality. Thankfully, the intriguing plot outweighs the bad characterisations, so it emerges to be one good read indeed!

Four Stars.


* Thank you Bantam Books for my copy.